Written answers

Wednesday, 1 July 2009

Department of Health and Children

Departmental Expenditure

11:00 pm

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if an association (details supplied) received funding under the national child care investment programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26500/09]

Photo of Barry AndrewsBarry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) 2006 - 2010 under which capital grant funding is made available to community and commercial childcare providers for the development of childcare facilities.

I understand from Pobal, who administer grants on behalf of my Office, that funding totalling €134,182 has been provided to the childcare facility in Lisnamult under the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS ), which is implemented under the NCIP, to enable them to provide childcare to disadvantaged and low income families at reduced rates.

I understand that the group referred to by the Deputy has applied for capital funding under the programme. With the economic downturn, Government expenditure - particularly in the area of new capital commitments - was reviewed earlier this year. As a result, with the exception of a limited number of projects, it was necessary to inform all NCIP capital grant applicants, including the applicant referred to by the Deputy, that no further grants were being approved and that the programme was closed to additional applications. Existing capital commitments will continue to be processed during 2009 and 2010. The City and County Childcare Committees will be advised by my Office if and when additional capital funding becomes available to my Office in 2011 and 2012.

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